SOMATOMETRY: MEASUREMENTS AND APPLICATIONS - ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY - 2025

The somatometry or anthropometry is the science dedicated to study and evaluate the measurements and proportions of the human body. Its name derives from two Greek words: somato (which means "body") and metria (which means measure), so the name literally means "measure of the body."

This science has direct applications in multiple disciplines such as medicine, nutrition, sports training, anthropology, and even forensic science.

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Although at first glance it may be simple, anthropometry is a complex science. This is because it is not simply a matter of measuring different diameters and lengths of the human body, but also of establishing the proportions between these.

In addition, somatometry makes it possible to determine the physical characteristics of particular ethnic groups and human beings in different periods of history, as well as changes in dimensions and proportions throughout the individual's life.

Basic measurements

The basic measurements in somatometry are weight and height. Both measurements are an essential part of any medical examination. From them, the body mass index (BMI) can be calculated, a fairly accurate indicator of the individual's nutritional status.

In addition, with the height it is possible to calculate the body surface of the individual. This information is useful when selecting certain types of medications, prostheses and even calculating hydration in special cases, such as burn patients.

Obtaining weight and height data is very simple, it is only necessary to have a clinical scale and a height rod to be able to obtain useful and accurate information.

In the case of young children, it is necessary to have an infantometer, an instrument very similar to the clinical scale but specially configured to work with young people.

Specific clinical measurements

Although weight and height are a fundamental part of any medical examination, there are infinite anthropometric data that may be necessary to know within certain clinical contexts.

For example, the diameter of the abdominal circumference is of vital importance in determining cardiovascular risk. This diameter is measured with a conventional tape measure, which is placed around the abdomen of the subject to be evaluated, parallel to the floor and at the level of the navel.

An abdominal circumference greater than 90 cm in men and 80 cm in women is synonymous with increased cardiovascular risk. This measure is even more accurate than BMI in predicting future vascular risk.

On the other hand, in pediatrics anthropometric measurements are used daily to assess the growth of children. Among the most used is the head circumference, which allows determining the growth of the head and brain in the first years of life.

Instrumental special measurements

Until now, only the anthropometric measurements that can be obtained with more or less simple instruments, directly in a doctor's office and without major complications, have been mentioned.

However, modern somatometry encompasses far beyond what can be measured with a simple physical examination. For this it is necessary to have special instruments to determine certain dimensions of the human body that otherwise would be impossible to know.

Below we will describe some of the most common somatometric measurements in daily practice.

Tricipital fold

Measurement of the triceps fold is very helpful in determining the fat content of the human body.

Although the weight allows to know the weight of bones, muscles, viscera and body fat together, it is limited information. This is because in many cases it is necessary to know the lean weight and the percentage of body fat to evaluate the nutritional status of an individual.

In these cases, an instrument known as a “plicameter” is used, with which the thickness of the skin fold taken by the clamp is measured at the midpoint of the posterior region of the arm (triceps region).

The thickness of the fold in this area, as well as in other specific areas of the anatomy (abdomen, for example) allows the percentage of body fat to be fairly accurately estimated and thus establish appropriate therapeutic strategies.

Pelvimetry

Pelvimetry is the evaluation of the diameters of a woman's bony pelvis. It is a very useful study in obstetrics, since it allows to anticipate with great precision which group of women will be able to have a vaginal delivery and which will need a cesarean section due to the fact that the diameters of their pelvis are less than the minimum necessary for delivery.

Although most women will be able to give birth vaginally, pelvimetry is useful in those with a history of trauma or fractures at the pelvic level, a family history of cesarean sections or instrumental deliveries due to feto-pelvic disproportion, or in pregnant women of large fetuses (estimated weight greater than 4,500 grams).

To perform pelvimetry, it is necessary to take a series of radiographs in different projections, which will allow us to know exactly the diameters of the pelvis. In particular, the areas known as "pelvic straits" will be measured, where the narrowest diameters are reached.

Ultrasound

In medicine, a "megaly" is said to exist when an organ is larger than normal. Although it is sometimes possible to detect this condition by clinical examination, this is only possible when the dimensions of the organ in question are much larger than normal.

However, with the use of ultrasound it is possible to determine with great precision the size of practically any solid organ or hollow viscus that contains liquid inside, which makes this study a fundamental tool for the early detection of visceral growths.

If, for example, growth of the liver (hepatomegaly) or spleen (splenomegaly) is detected during the ultrasound, the appropriate diagnostic protocol can be started long before the growth of the organ was detectable in the clinical examination. This substantially increases therapeutic success and significantly improves prognosis.

As you can see, as imaging technology advances, the scope of somatometry broadens. At present, in addition to the diagnostic tools already mentioned, studies such as computerized axial tomography, functional magnetic resonance imaging and echocardiography are also used, just to mention some of the most common.

Somatometry applications

Although somatometry is known for its application in the medical clinic, its usefulness goes much further, being used in disciplines as diverse as:

- Medicine.

- Nutrition.

- Sports.

- Forensic Medicine.

- Anthropology.

- Ergonomics.

A detailed dissertation of the applications of anthropometry in each of the aforementioned disciplines would take several textbooks. However, to get a general idea of ​​how this discipline works, below we will explain some of the most common uses.

Somatometry in medicine

In medicine, the applications of somatometry are many and varied. In this field, measurements of the human body make it possible to know if a child is growing adequately, if an organ is larger or smaller than normal or if a treatment negatively affects any body structure.

Anthropometric measurements are an integral part of any physical examination, and some are included more or less detailed according to the needs of the specialist physician.

In this sense, very broad information can be obtained, ranging from the largest and thickest data such as weight and height to microscopic details such as the anteroposterior diameter of the eye, the latter being extremely useful in the selection of lenses for cataract surgery among other things.

Somatometry in nutrition

Closely related to medicine we find the field of nutrition, in which anthropometry also plays a very important role.

Somatometry allows a very accurate approach to the nutritional status of an individual. The different measurements and proportions calculated from the data obtained in the measurements allow us to know for sure if a person is undernourished, malnourished or eutrophic.

Somatometry in sports

In sports, especially when it comes to highly competitive athletes, somatometry is essential for the proper performance of the athlete.

The anthropometric information allows the design of personalized equipment and clothing that maximizes the athlete's performance. In addition, the body proportions allow to anticipate with great precision for which discipline the body of each individual is best adapted.

In this sense, real-time motion capture allows somatometry to go one step further, since it not only works with static measurements but it can also see how the dimensions, proportions and angles of the body change in real time. This allows the design of personalized training plans for each athlete.

Somatometry in forensic medicine

In forensic sciences, somatometry plays a fundamental role in the analysis of evidence. For example, with the measurements of a corpse, forensics can determine if it is a man or a woman, in addition to being possible to estimate very precisely the age of the deceased.

On the other hand, through anthropometry it is possible to determine the height, weight and strength of an aggressor through the study of the injuries inflicted on the victim. In this case, the body is not directly measured, but the dimensions and characteristics of the lesions can be compared a posteriori with the anthropometric measurements of potential suspects in order to rule them out or confirm them in the investigation.

Somatometry in Anthropology

Another of the sciences in which somatometry is extremely important is anthropology.

Through the characteristics, dimensions and body proportions it is possible to locate any human being (current or ancient) in an ethnic group and specific geographical region.

Thus, it can be said that each ethnic group, at a given time, has specific measures and proportions that allow them to be differentiated from each other.

In both modern anthropology and forensic anthropology, somatometry provides key information for the classification and grouping of individuals.

Somatometry in ergonomics

Ergonomics is known as the branch of engineering and design in charge of making objects, tools and spaces adapt to the physical characteristics of their users.

The objective of ergonomics is that all everyday objects can be used easily and comfortably, adapting them to the measurements, proportions, estimated strength and physical characteristics of the users.

To achieve this design objective, it is essential to have the somatometric information of potential users, so that the weight, size, design, proportions and other characteristics of each element are adapted to their end users.

Thus, the set of data provided by somatometry enables the design of specific tools and articles for women, men and children. You could even go a little further and design specific objects for certain specific populations.

One of the clearest examples of the application of this science in ergonomics is the design of beds.

In very tall populations, it would be necessary to design longer and probably more robust beds to accommodate large and heavy users; a useful feature in a tall population, but totally useless in regions where the height is average or low.

References

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